Trial by Fire

September 29, 2014
A native of Salem, Mass., Lily Proctor seems allergic to the worldâshe can't even go out with her crush Tristan without collapsing, sick, in front of her classmates. When a powerful witch named Lillian, identical to Lily in every way, tricks her into crossing into a parallel Salem, Lily's "allergies" become symptoms of her enormous power as a "Crucible." In this medieval yet modern alternate Salem (which Lillian rules), fearsome, manmade creatures called the Woven terrorize non-citizens. As at home, Lily has a sister, Juliet, and a friend named Tristan in this Salem, but there is also Rowan, a beautiful witch's mechanic, or attendant, to whom Lily is powerfully drawn. Angelini (the Starcrossed series) creates an escapist fantasy infused with magic and complicated romance, while taking up themes of science gone wrong and humans' endangerment of the world and their environment. The ways in which the two worlds mirror one anotherâspecifically, how Lily's weakness in one realm means strength in the otherâprovide emotional resonance and fascinating possibilities for subsequent books in the Worldwalker trilogy. Ages 12âup. Agent: Mollie Glick, Foundry Literary + Media.

August 1, 2014
Once meek and tormented by debilitating allergies, a girl is transported to an alternate universe and becomes a staggeringly powerful witch. Lily Proctor leads a painful life in Salem, Massachusetts, stricken with seizures and responsible for the care of her schizophrenic mother. When her best friend and unrequited love, Tristan, betrays her at a party, Lily finds herself listening to a mysterious voice inside her head that offers a way out. Suddenly, she appears in an unfamiliar version of her town and is greeted as the Lady of Salem. It appears that Lillian, an alternative version of Lily, summoned her from this other Salem. Realizing she can't trust her doppelganger, Lily flees, stumbling into Rowan, a man once harmed by the true Lady of Salem. Desperate to get back home, Lily unwittingly becomes embroiled in the struggles of new friends. In this Salem, Lily's fevers give her power. She's a crucible-able to change heat into force. But to what end will she harness that power? Angelini begins with a trite setup in present time but quickly subverts tropes once Lily arrives in the alternative Salem. Lillian makes for a mostly absent villain, leaving the bulk of the tension to Lily and Rowan. Readers will be swept into the inner workings of crucibles and witches and left eager for more. A cliched start gives way to a richly drawn world of keenly devised magic. (Paranormal romance. 14 & up)

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July 1, 2014

Gr 8 Up-Lily Proctor knew she shouldn't have gone out on Friday night with her best friend, and now boyfriend, Tristan. Lily has powerfully debilitating allergies, can't handle even a sip of alcohol, and breaks out in hives at the mere suggestion of shellfish. When the vodka slipped into her soda sends Lily into a fever-induced seizure, she is transported into another world, Salem, by an evil version of herself. Salem features Crucibles (witches who control technology) and monsters that haunt the shadows. On the plus side, the protagonist's severe allergies are suddenly gone. Lily must befriend Rowan Fall, a moody yet irresistable man who becomes her guardian, and train with Rowan and his friends, Caleb and Tristan, to become the strongest witch Salem has ever seen. Meanwhile, the cruel Lillian is doing everything in her power, including murdering innocents, to stop any scientific advances, and will stop at nothing to see the downcast Outlanders that Lily has allied with completely destroyed. Lily, Rowan, Caleb, and Tristan must use magic to stop Lillian, even at the cost of their own lives. Much like Anna Jarzab's Tandem (Delacorte, 2013) and Shannon Delaney's "Weather Witch" books (St. Martin's), Angelini's latest series opener combines the best elements of a magical fantasy with hints of sci-fi, history, and romance.-Eden Rassette, Kenton County Public Library, KY

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2014
Grades 8-11 Lily's life is ruled by her allergies. The many things she can't eat, touch, or inhale pose a grave danger to her and make normal high-school life in Salem, Massachusetts, next to impossible. But when she is pulled into an alternate Salem, one ruled by witchcraft and a fear of science, and in which genetically modified, giant, insect-like creatures called Woven terrorize the open land around guarded cities, Lily's allergic reactions soon make sense. She is a crucible, with the potential to convert what she consumes into energy for herself and others. She's also the double of Lillian, a volatile and very powerful witch who has called Lily to her. With the guidance of stoic Rowan, Lily learns how to manage her powers and helps mount a revolution against Lillian's despotic rule. Although the world building is sometimes belabored, once the action comes, it comes fast and furious. The likable Lily is guided by strong convictions, and a startling conclusion will have readers anticipating the next chapter in the Worldwalker Trilogy.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)